LAKELAND -- A private pilot based in Lakeland joins others around the state in collecting relief supplies for survivors of Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas.
Gary Coxe is a business and life strategies coach in his work life. He's also a pilot and has worked with Angel Flight, a group of pilots who volunteer to help medical patients and others in need. He's planning to fly relief supplies to the Bahamas out of Lakeland Linder International Airport, the same field used by NOAA's Hurricane Hunter planes.
He says items needed include tarps, baby supplies, wipes, pet food, flashlights and batteries. Coxe is taking donations at Maurice's Auto Repair, on Drane Field Road across from the airport, daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. including weekends.
"Once we know how much we have, (that) will determine how many flights (we make)," Coxe said. "We're not going to be able to do it all in one trip... there (are) pilots all over the state getting involved," Coxe said.
Coxe is being sponsored by the Sandals Foundation, a charity supporting projects in Caribbean nations. Sandals resorts pays its administrative costs. For those who don't have supplies to donate, it's taking cash donations to support the relief flights at this link:
Hear an interview with Gary Coxe at this link:
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